No one's interested in Medicare fraud

November 20, 2006|Jack Jacoby Tamarac

In March of this year, I noticed in my monthly Medicare statement a charge made by a doctor for services rendered. I had never seen this doctor nor had I ever been to Hialeah, where the office visit was supposed to have taken place. I contacted Medicare and informed them. As they had already paid the claim, I was informed that they would pass this on to the department dealing with possible fraud.

Surprise, surprise, on receiving my last statement, Medicare had once again paid this doctor for claims amounting to over $6,000.

I once again called Medicare and was informed that an investigation can take up to 180 days, but in the meantime they paid this money.

I realize that I personally have had no monetary loss from this, but our government has.

I tried to report this matter to numerous offices including the FBI, Hialeah Police Department and last but not least the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., where apparently they cannot read English, as in my e-mail (I have a copy) I stated that I personally did not have a loss but that Medicare had been defrauded. DOJ told me I have to get my own lawyer.

I ask you, sir, for what?

It appears the media do not want to publicize what is happening in the bureaucracy.

Please note, the doctor's telephone has been disconnected as well as that of the clinic that the bill was received from.

How are we going to stop these fraudulent practices if you, the media, will not spread the word?